Cartridge holder and method of loading a firearm

ABSTRACT

A cartridge holder for cartridges having a projectile portion and a cartridge charge portion which is advantageously of a distinct diameter from the projectile portion is useable in a firearm having a plurality of gun barrel loading chambers which are, for example, arranged in radial rows at spaced circumferential locations. The cartridge holder includes a first annular part having a side wall with a plurality of circumferentially spaced projectile receiving cylinders distributed around the circumference thereof and of a length and diameter corresponding to the length and diameter of the cartridge projectile portion. The first annular part also has a central cylindrical receiving recess or bore for centering it on a cylindrical mounting portion of the firearm. The cartridge holder also includes an intermediate annular body having a plurality of circumferentially spaced cartridge charge portion engaging cylinders which are made to a diameter such that they will engage over the cartridge charge portion of the cartridges in pressure engagement therewith. The length of the cartridge charge portion engaging cylinders is such that they engage the cartridge charge portion along a portion of the trailing end thereof and project outwardly from the trailing end on the end opposite the projectile. A second annular part has a side facing the side of the first annular part and has a plurality of stub cylinders which are engageable within the cartridge charge portion engaging cylinders. During loading, the first annular part is removed to expose the projectiles so that they may all be introduced simultaneously into the cartridge receiving chambers of the firearm. The second annular part is removable to expose the cartridge charge portion for actuation by a firing mechanism. The cartridge charge portion is advantageously a caseless ammunition charge.

ite States atent H 1 Hupp et al.

[451 Nov. 25, 1975 CARTRIDGE HOLDER AND METHOD OF LOADING A FIREARM [75]Inventors: Gerhard Hupp, Oberndorf, Neckar; Helmut Ma'ider, Schramberg,both of Germany [73] Assignee: Industrie Werke Karlsruhe Augsburg AG,Germany [22] Filed: Apr. 22, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 463,112

Primary Examiner-Harvey E. Behrend Attorney, Agent, or FirmMcGlew andTuttle [57] ABSTRACT A cartridge holder for cartridges having aprojectile portion and a cartridge charge portion which isadvantageously of a distinct diameter from the projectile portion isuseable in a firearm having a plurality of gun barrel loading chamberswhich are, for example, arranged in radial rows at spacedcircumferential locations. The cartridge holder includes a first annularpart having a side wall with a plurality of circumferentially spacedprojectile receiving cylinders distributed around the circumferencethereof and of a length and diameter corresponding to the length anddiameter of the cartridge projectile portion. The first annular partalso has a central cylindrical receiving recess or bore for centering iton a cylindrical mounting portion of the firearm. The cartridge holderalso includes an intermediate annular body having a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced cartridge charge portion engaging cylinderswhich are made to a diameter such that they will engage over thecartridge charge portion of the cartridges in pressure engagementtherewith. The length of the cartridge charge portion engaging cylindersis such that they engage the cartridge charge portion along a portion ofthe trailing end thereof and project outwardly from the trailing end onthe end opposite the projectile. A second annular part has a side facingthe side of the first annular part and has a plurality of stub cylinderswhich are engageable within the cartridge charge portion engagingcylinders. During loading, the first annular part is removed to exposethe projectiles so that they may all be introduced simultaneously intothe cartridge receiving chambers of the firearm. The second annular partis removable to expose the cartridge charge portion for actuation by afiring mechanism. The cartridge charge portion is advantageously acaseless ammunition charge.

9 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures US, Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet 1 of23,921,326

Q Q i 5 g m M m H 3 w US. Patent N0v.25,1975 She6t20f2 3,921,326

CARTRIDGE HOLDER AND METHOD OF v LOADING A FIREARM FIELD AND BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to the constructionof firearms and cartridge holders therefor and, in particular, to a newand useful cartridge holder for cartridges having a projectile portionand a cartridge charge portion, and which includes a plurality ofinterengageable annular parts which are adapted to hold a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced cartridges with one of the parts beingremovable to expose all of the cartridges for simultaneous insertioninto cartridge chambers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART The present invention is particularlyapplicable to a method of reloading a firearm, particularly a short handfire arm and preferably with caseless cartridges which are storable in amagazine or cartridge holder which is fixed to the firearm and whichcarries a plurality of cartridges having a projectile portion and acartridge charge portion. Relatively high demands are made on the modernhand firearm construction. Demands relate mostly to the hittingaccuracy, the firing rate, the high initial velocity of the projectiles,the percussion power, the handling ability, the size and weight and thetrouble-free operation thereof, etc. It is also of importance to providea reserve of ammunition which in case of need is not only immediatelydisposable but also can be simply and quickly reloaded even in action.In view of such requirements, the known hand firearms have relativelylimited possibilities. A known rapid fire rifle is equipped with amagazine receiving about twenty cartridges and is of the bar or boxtype. It is true that the firearm and the corresponding ammunitioncomply with most of the demands, but the reloading of the magazineassociated therewith is complicated and time-consuming principallybecause only one cartridge after the other can be introduced into themagazine. Moreover, because of the relatively high weight of suchcartridges, the user can carry along and store only a limited numberthereof.

Because of the complicated reloading operations of .the magazine whichare necessary, and the restricted reserve of ammunition which can becarried along, the good properties of such a firearm cannot be fullyutilized.

The situation is approximately reversed in respect to 'the knownautomatic gun whose bar magazine permits .the reception of from to 32cartridges but which, because of its small volume design, has only arestricted percussion power and range. Since the cartridges must beintroduced into the magazine piece-by-piece, their reloading is not onlycomplicated but is also very time consuming. Such properties are mostundesirable in action as may be evident.

An automatic gun of an older type .manufactured abroad is also known.This gun comprises a magazine designed as a drum and is adapted toreceive some 70 to 72 cartridges. The drum magazine of this firearm hasa desirable high cartridge receiving capacity, but also has the drawbackthat the relaoding can be effected only by inserting cartridge aftercartridge, one at a time and, therefore, this is a time-consumingprocess and unsuitable for use in action. Another drawback is therelatively great number of cartridges which result in a LII the firearm,comprises a plurality of three firearm barrels whose axes are parallelto each other. The magazine is disposed in the longitudinal axis of thefirearm between the barrels and the piston and serves to re ceive theammunition. The magazine forms an integral part of the firearm andreceives a plurality of cartridge seats, combustion chambers and sealingmeans, and is preferably rotationally symmetrical and gas-proof. Themagazine housing of such a firearm is also provided with a parting slitextending approximately diagonally which divides it into twoapproximately equal halves. The half of the magazine housing which issecured to the firearm piston is hinged to the half of the magazinehousing adjacent the arm barrels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the known drawbacks of the firearmsof the prior art, the present invention provides a simple but highlyeffective method of reloading the hand firearms of a type mentionedabove, which includes a magazine housing divided into two portions. Withthe invention, the magazine or cartridge holder is provided with a bodyportion which engages a cartridge charge portion of the cartridge andincludes a first cover portion having individual cylinders which engageover the projectile portion of the cartridges. The portion which coversthe projectiles is removed to expose the projectiles for simultaneousintroduction into the cartridge chambers. The cartridge holder isintroduced in the weapon by pivoting the weapon about a pivot so as toopen the magazine receiving chamber to permit introduction of the bodyportion which holds the ammunition at the location of the cartridgecharge portion thereof. After introduction, the magazine is again closedby pivoting the weapon back so as to engage over the body portionholding the cartridges. In accordance with the invention, the cartridgecharge holder comprises the intermediate annular body having a pluralityof circumferentially spaced cylindrical portions which are sized toengage over the cartridge charge casing and to extend outwardly from oneend thereof. A second annular housing part having a plurality ofcylindrical stub cylinders of a number equal to the cartridge chargeportion engaging cylinders are engaged within the cartridge chargeportion engaging cylinders to close the end of the magazine. Theopposite end is closed by the first annular part having the projectileengaging cylinders. The first annular part is easily removable to exposethe projectiles for loading into the cartridge chambers. The reloadingof cartridges into the device may proceed by inserting the projectileends of the cartridges into the first annular cover part. After this isdone, the cover part with the cartridges, is then united to the secondannular cover part which engages into the intermediate part.

The first and second annular parts are interengaged with theintermediate part therebetween and they are held in engagement with thecartridges by a removable sealing tab which is engaged over the abuttingedges of the two parts to hold them together. The band may be aself-sealing tape or a tear-off band which may be easily removed topermit separation of the two annular parts. The cylinders of theintermediate part are advantageously sized so that they extend over aportion of the cartridge charge portion of the ammunition and alsoextend outwardly from the end thereof opposite to the projectileportion. The second part is provided with a plurality of stub cylinderswhich engage into the projecting part of the cartridge charge partengaging cylinders of the intermediate part. The ammunition isadvantageously made of the caseless type and the cartridge chargeportion is of a larger diameter than the projectile portion so that whenthe projectile portions are loaded into the projectile receivingcylinders of the first part, engagement proceeds up to the end edge ofthe cartridge charge portion of the projectiles.

Each of the two cover parts includes a central bore for positioning thecartridges in alignment with a cylindrical aligning part of the weapon.The second annular part, which is provided with hollow cylinder stubportions is also provided with a plurality of ribs, webs or similarelements distributed around its periphery which, due to their relativelength, rest against the inner surface of the opposite cover, or firstannular part. The caseless cartridges are fixed in the receptacles bothaxially and radially by means of the hollow cylinders and hollowcylinder stubs of the various cover parts.

The invention offers a number of considerable advantages, Theconstruction of the receptacle serves to store, receive and fix thecaseless cartridges in a relatively simple manner. In considering thatthe receptacle can be manufactured in large quantities and made, forexample, of a synthetic material or an inexpensive stamping, themanufacture becomes so inexpensive that the tool is amortized after afew tens of thousands of pieces. The low manufacturing costs make itpossible to design the cartridge holders as throw away receptacles. Dueto the relatively small dimensions and weight of the receptacle and, atthe same time, due to the maximum storability of the individualcartridges, the user is able to carry along a number of cartridges whichis many times larger relative to the conventional ammunition. Thus, theuser becomes largely independent of the logistics in respect tocartrdige supply and his readiness for action is considerably extended.

In addition to the above advantages, the caseless cartridges areenclosed in the receptacle in a completely dustand waterproof manner andcannot only be removed therefrom simply and quickly, but can also bereloaded into the firearm with s milar ease, and this is an imperativecondition in action. However, the particular advantage of the inventivemethod is the fact that all of the cartridges can be reloaded into thefirearm simultaneously within a period which takes no more time than thereloading of one or two cartridges of the conventional type.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improvedcartridge holder for cartridges having a projectile portion and acartridge charge portion for use in a firearm having a plurality of gunbarrel loading chambers which comprises a first annular part having aside with a plurality of circ umferentially spaced projectile receivingcylinders distributed around a circumference which are of a length anddiameter corresponding to the length and diameter of the cartridgeprojectile portion and which has a central cylindrical receiving recess,and an intermediate annular body having a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced cartridge portion engaging cylinders which arepressure-engageable over the cartridge charge portion of the cartridgesand extend beyond the end thereof opposite to the projectile and furtherincluding a second annular part having a side adapted to face the sideof the first annular part which includes a plurality of stub cylinderswhich are engageable within the cartridge charge portion engagingcylinders, the first and second annular parts being separable in orderto expose the projectiles for a simultaneous introduction into thecartridge chamber,

A further object of the invention is to provide a method of operating afirearm having a plurality of gun barrels with cartridge chambers usinga cartridge holder which includes a first annular part having a sidewallwith a plurality of circumferentially spaced projectile receivingcylinders distributed around its circumference of a length and diametercorresponding to the length and diameter of the cartridge projectiles,and having an intermediate annular body with a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced cartridge charge portion engaging cylinderswhich are engageable with the cartridge charge portions and extend overone end thereof with a second annular part which has a plurality of stubcylinders which are alignable in the cartridge charge portion engagingcylinders and comprising loading the cartridges into the cartridgeholder after they have been inserted into the intermediate annular bodyby pressing the projectile ends thereof into the receiving cylinders ofthe first annular part, thereafter covering the opposite ends with thesecond annular part, opening the magazine chamber of the weapon and,after removing the first annular part, exposing all of the projectiles,aligning the projectiles in respect to the cartridge chambers of thefirearm and, thereafter, closing the firearm to engage over theintermediate and second annular part to position the cartridge holderwith the cartridges in the firearm.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cartridge holder whichis simple in design, rugged in construction, and economical tomanufacture.

For an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference ismade to the following description of a typical embodiment thereof asillustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

In the Drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a cartridgeholder constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the magazine shown in FIG. 1,partly broken away; and

FIG. 3 is a partial elevational and longitudinal sectional view of afirearm having a cartridge holder therein constructed in accordance withthe invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings inparticular, the invention embodied therein. comprises a cartridgeholder, generally designated 50, which includes a first portion or coverportion, generally designated la, a second portion or second coverportion, generally designated lb, and an intermediate portion, generallydesignated 2. The three portions are interfitted axially together andthey are held in a closed condition by an annular sealing tape orself-sealing band 1c, which extends around the periphery of the abuttingside portions, and holds the assembly together.

In accordance with the invention, the intermediate portion or bodyportion 2 includes a plurality of cartride charge portion engagingcylinders 2a, which are adapted to engage a cartridge charge portion 3aof a cartridge, generally designated 3. Cartridge 3 also includes aprojectile portion 3b, and the first cover portion la includes aplurality of projectile engaging cylinders M which extend inwardly froman interior face 52. Cartridges 3 are of a caseless type and the chargeis held in an embedding material, such as a plastic, in the cartridgecharge portion 3a. The cylinders are advantageously sized so that theyare in pressure-engagement with the cartridge charge portion 3a but, inany event, they hold the cartridge at least in the radial direction.Recesses 2b are defined in body 2 to reduce the weight thereof and acentral bore 20 serves as a mean for centering the body 2 in respect toa cylindrical mounting portion 54 of a firearm, generally designated 4.(See FIG. 3)

The interior face 52 is provided with the hollow projectile engagingcylinders 1d which are of a number corresponding to the number ofcartridges and extend parallel to the central axis 6 of the cartridgeholder 50. The length of the hollow cylinders 1d correspondapproximately to the free length of the projectile portion 3b and theends abut against the ledge formed by the larger diameter ends of thecartridge charge portion 3a. Thus, the caseless cartridges 3 are alsofixed in the direction of their longitudinal axis, and the projectile isprotected against damage and contamination.

The second cover portion lb is of a similar design to the first coverportion la and, on its inner face, it is provided with a plurality ofhollow cylinder stubs 1e, corresponding to the number of cartridges, andwhich extend parallel to the axis 6 of receptacle 1, and are of adiameter such that they engage within the overlapping ends of thecartridge charge portions engaging cylinders 2a. The stub cylinders 1eserve to support the charges of the caseless cartridges 3 and the outercircumferences of the stubs 1e serve to center and retain body 2 in theenclosure formed by the interengagement of cover parts la and lb.

In order to protect the cartridges 3 against damage in the receptacle,there are a plurality of ribs or webs,

such as web 56 of second cover portion 1b which aplplies against webs 58of first cover portion la. 1 When firearm 4, shown in FIG. 3, is to bereloaded with caseless cartridges, the magazine housing part, 1 which isfixed to the butt end of the firearm, and which is not shown, is tiltedaway from magazine housing part 4c which is secured to the firearmbarrels 4a and 4b. In the embodiment shown, only two barrels areindicated, but there may be any number, for example, three, arranged inan offset radial manner similar to the arrangement of the cartridges 3,shown in FIG. 2. The barrels 4a and 4b include cartridge chambers 5 and5a which, for example, may be located in an annular cartridge chambermember 5b, which are exposed until intermediate annular body 2 isseparated from cover portions la and lb and are located so that theprojectiles 3b extend into the associated chambers with which they areautomatically aligned. Body 2 is centered in respect to the cartridgechambers by alignment of its central bore 2c over cylindrical part 54 ofthe weapon so that each cartridge is aligned before the respectivecartridge chamber or seat. In the construction shown, it is preferablethat one cartridge chamber aligns with each cartridge, and the divisionof the cartridges in body 2 corresponds to the cartridge chambers onannular member 5b.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the cartridges 3may be positioned within the associated chambers by positioning thefirst annular cover part 1a so that its projectile engaging cylinders Idbecome aligned within the trailing ends of the cartridge charge portionengaging cylinders 2c of the intermediate body 2. The first annularcover part 1a is then pressed axially inwardly to force the cartridges 3into the chambers to effect a quick and rapid loading of all of thechambers simultaneously.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed in detail to illustrate the application of the principles ofthe invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodiedotherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

l. A cartridge holder for cartridges having a projectile portion, and acartridge charge portion, for use in a firearm having a plurality of gunbarrel loading chambers, comprising a first annular cover part having aninterior side wall with a plurality of circumferentially spacedprojectile receiving cylinders extending axially in respect thereto anddistributed around the circumference thereof and being of a length anddiameter corresponding to the length and diameter of the cartridgeprojectile portion, an intermediate annular body having a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced cartridge charge portion engaging cylindersengageable over the cartridge charge portion and extending beyond theend thereof on the side opposite the said projectile portion, a secondannular cover part having a side adapted to face the first annular coverpart with a plurality of stub cylinders extending axially therefromengageable within the cartridge charge portion engaging cylinders, saidfirst annular cover part being separable axially from the projectilesand said second annular cover part for exposing the projectiles forinsertion simultaneously into the barrel loading chambers, said firstannular cover part projectile receiving cylinders being of a diameter tobe engageable into the cartridge charge portion engaging cylinders ofsaid intermediate annular body to dislodge the cartridge charges fromsaid body and insert them into the gun barrel loading chambers.

2. A cartridge holder for cartridges, according to claim 1, wherein saidfirst and second cover members are axially interengageable over saidbody, and a sealing tape is wrapped around the side of the abuttingedges of said first and second cover portions.

3. A cartridge holder for cartridges, according to claim 1, wherein saidprojectile engaging cylinders are of a number corresponding to thenumber of cartridges and extend substantially parallel to the axis ofsaid first and second cover members and said intermediate body member.

4. A cartridge holder for cartridges, according to claim 3, wherein saidprojectile engaging cylinders of said first cover member are of a lengthapproximately equal to the length of said projectile portions of saidcartridges.

5. A cartridge holder for cartridges, according to claim 3, wherein theinterior diameters of said projectile engaging cylinders correspondapproximately to 7 the largest diameter of the projectiles ofsaidcartridges.

6. A cartridge holder for cartridges. according to claim 5, wherein saidsecond cover member hollow cylindrical stub cylinders correspond innumber to the number of cartridges and extend parallel to the axis ofsaid first and second cover members and said intermediate annular bodyand have end faces engageable into said cartridge charge portionengaging cylinders of said intermediate body and providing means forcentering said body in relation to said second cover member.

7. A cartridge holder for cartridges, according to claim 1, wherein saidsecond cover member is provided with a plurality of ribs distributedover its circumference which interengage with said first cover member.

8. A cartridge holder for cartridges, according to claim 1, wherein saidcartridges include a cartridge charge portion which is ofa length suchthat only a part

1. A cartridge holder for cartridges having a projectile portion, and acartridge charge portion, for use in a firearm having a plurality of gunbarrel loading chambers, comprising a first annular cover part having aninterior side wall with a plurality of circumferentially spacedprojectile receiving cylinders extending axially in respect thereto anddistributed around the circumference thereof and being of a length anddiameter corresponding to the length and diameter of the cartridgeprojectile portion, an intermediate annular body having a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced cartridge charge portion engaging cylindersengageable over the cartridge charge portion and extending beyond theend thereof on the side opposite the said projectile portion, a secondannular cover part having a side adapted to face the first annular coverpart with a plurality of stub cylinders extending axially therefromengageable within the cartridge charge portion engaging cylinders, saidfirst annular cover part being separable axially from the projectilesand said second annular cover part for exposing the projectiles forinsertion simultaneously into the barrel loading chambers, said firstannular cover part projectile receiving cylinders being of a diameter tobe engageable into the cartridge charge portion engaging cylinders ofsaid intermediate annular body to dislodge the cartridge charges fromsaid body and insert them into the gun barrel loading chambers.
 2. Acartridge holder for cartridges, according to claim 1, wherein saidfirst and second cover members are axially interengageable over saidbody, and a sealing tape is wrapped around the side of the abuttingedges of said first and second cover portions.
 3. A cartridge holder forcartridges, according to claim 1, wherein said projectile engagingcylinders are of a number corresponding to the number of cartridges andextend substantially parallel to the axis of said first and second covermembers and said intermediate body member.
 4. A cartridge holder forcartridges, according to claim 3, wherein said projectile engagingcylinders of said first cover member are of a length approximately equalto the length of said projectile portions of said cartridges.
 5. Acartridge holder for cartridges, according to claim 3, wherein theinterior diameters of said projectile engaging cylinders correspondapproximately to the largest diameter of the projectiles of saidcartridges.
 6. A cartridge holder for cartridges, according to claim 5,wherein said second cover member hollow cylindrical stub cylinderscorrespond in number to the number of cartridges and extend parallel tothe axis of said first and second cover members and said intermediateannular body and have end faces engageable into said cartridge chargeportion engaging cylinders of said intermediate body and providing meansfor centering said body in relation to said seconD cover member.
 7. Acartridge holder for cartridges, according to claim 1, wherein saidsecond cover member is provided with a plurality of ribs distributedover its circumference which interengage with said first cover member.8. A cartridge holder for cartridges, according to claim 1, wherein saidcartridges include a cartridge charge portion which is of a length suchthat only a part thereof is engageable within the cartridge chargeportion engaging cylinders of said intermediate body and their diametersare such that the engagement is in a pressure clamping engagement.
 9. Acartridge holder for cartridges, according to claim 1, wherein saidprojectile engagement cylinders are of a length corresponding to thelength of the projectile, said cartridges comprising a cartridge chargeportion of a larger diameter than the projectiles having an edgeengageable with the edges of said projectile engaging cylinders of saidfirst cover part when the first cover part is closed.